Super Falcons break 16-year ill luck, to qualify for 2024 Olympics in Paris

By Toffa Momoh

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have broken a 16-year-old jinx as they qualified for this year’s Olympics Women football after holding the Banyana Banyana of South Africa to a goalless draw in Pretoria.

Eagles FM reports that the Super Falcons played a draw with the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the second leg fixture of the Olympics qualifiers on Tuesday.

The game played at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, Pretoria in South Africa ended 0:0 in favour of the Super Falcons, having pipped the Banyana Banyana by 1 goal in Abuja, Nigeria last week.

The second leg fixture saw both sides attempt very few scoring chances, but it was Nigeria’s defence and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who kept the hosts at bay.

Efforts by captain Thembi Kgatlana to open scoring for the hosts in the second half proved abortive as Nigeria’s wall stood tall to defend their lead on the day.

Eagles FM reports that Falcons beat Bayana Bayana of South Africa 1-0 on aggregate in the two-legged encounter to seal qualification for the first time in 16 years.

The Super Falcons have not played in Olympics football event since 2008, but they put up a strong performance in Pretoria on Tuesday to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

The result means Nigeria secured the continent’s spot for the Olympics.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is in Group C alongside World Cup champions Spain, Japan and Brazil in the Games billed for July 26 to Aug.11 in France.